HMS Pickle, a notable British Royal Navy brig, played a crucial role in a significant maritime operation when it captured the armed slave ship Voladora off the coast of Cuba. Operating in an era where the British Empire had taken a strong stance against the transatlantic slave trade, this engagement is an example of the military efforts aimed at suppressing illegal slaving practices. The Royal Navy took on the responsibility of patrolling the seas to prevent slave ships from transporting captive Africans to the Americas against international law, and HMS Pickle's mission was integral to this wider anti-slavery campaign.

The encounter occurred in June 1829 when HMS Pickle, under the command of a British officer, spotted Voladora attempting to evade capture. The slave ship was heavily armed and ready to defend itself, but Pickle's superior maneuverability and naval tactics led to a successful boarding. The confrontation lasted for a short period, emphasizing the danger that crews faced in combating the slave trade on the high seas. This operation not only disrupted one instance of human trafficking but signified a larger commitment of the British forces to enforce anti-slavery laws, despite the complexities involved in capturing other armed vessels.

Following the capture, the crew of HMS Pickle took control of Voladora, leading to the arrest of its crew and subsequent trial. The seizure of the ship and rescue of potential enslaved individuals became emblematic of Britain's efforts during this period, marking a proactive stance militarily against the persistent issue of the slave trade. These operations remained critical as they influenced international maritime law and cooperative efforts among nations to collectively combat the transatlantic slave trade in the following decades.